TURN PAGES by clicking the arrows at the side of the page, or by using the toolbar.

ZOOM IN by clicking anywhere on the page.READ by dragging the page around when zoomed in.ZOOM OUT by clicking anywhere on the page when zoomed in.VISIT web sites or send emails by clicking on hyperlinks.

Print Page

Email this page to a friend

Search this issue

Index - jump to page or section

Archive - view past issues

Registration to Air Force News is free.Once registered you will be notified by email when new issue is published.

Reputation & ResultsTM Freecall 1800 555 777 www.slatergordon.com.au Specialists in military compensation claims, reconsiderations and appeals. DMO DMO MILITARY RESERVES exciting opportunities Australia wide! LEAD TWICE THE LIFE Exciting opportunities are available for Military Reservists in the following trades/ specialisations: » Project Managment » Logistics » Finance » Administration » Technical Trades » Engineering (mechanical & electrical) » Aircrew DEFENCE MATERIEL ORGANISATION | www.dmojobs.gov.au or call 1800 DMO JOBS (1800 366 562) 13 Personnel AIR FORCE June 11, 2009 TO ASSIST unit historians with their monthly reporting, the Office of Air Force History recently released its online Resource Package for Unit Historians. The package is designed to clarify and simplify the required reporting process and provide a resource point for inter- ested parties. RAAF historian Dr Chris Clark explained what the package would achieve. "We realise that units are very busy in today's environment, with more to do and less staff to do it with," he said. "We wanted to put together some- thing that would help unit historians readily understand what is needed from them in submitting monthly returns, and make their job as easy as possible. "We think we have achieved this with the package now available online. "We also hope that the package will be viewed by other personnel who help unit historians assemble the data that goes into the monthly submissions, so they will know what information is most useful and relevant." Unit histories officer Roz Turner delivered the package in a series of presentations to units at RAAF Base Richmond in February. It was well received, and the attendees gained a renewed awareness and understanding of the importance of providing concise and comprehensive unit-history returns. The Office of Air Force History will deliver the package to units at other loca- tions around Australia. To view the package, follow the Office of Air Force History links on the Air Power Development Centre website: http://airpower.airforce.gov.au HIGH-school students across Australia can now engage in a debate about the future of Australia's Defence Force, through the web site Defence 2020. The Defence 2020 educational resource pack was launched late last month in Canberra. Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon said the program aimed to inform stu- dents about the roles and responsi- bilities of the ADF, especially in peace operations. "Titled 'Defence 2020: Is the Australian Defence Force a Responsible Citizen?', this resource pack gives teachers the tools to encour- age our young people to think about the ADF's role in national, regional and global security," Mr Snowdon said. "Some 3000 schools will have access to this resource, and I believe it's important for our young people, our future leaders, to be involved in dialogue about our defence force and its many roles. "Unless they grow up in a Defence family, or have some connection to the forces, these students may never think about, understand or engage in the debate all Australians should have about Defence. "This is an educational tool that will inform students about the ADF and in their citzenship classes, social studies, or in politics, the Defence 2020 program will ask them to think about our rights and responsibilities as global citizens. "Defence issues are important to contemporary Australia and our shared future, and I am pleased young Australians are being given this oppor- tunity to learn about the ADF." For more details about the program, visit Defence2020.info Defence just a click away for schools Resource package to help unit historians IN BRIEF CDF on men's health CDF ACM Angus Houston has joined a list of high-profile Australians to endorse International Men's Health Week 2009. Men's Health Week, from June 15 to 21, aims to increase aware- ness of men's health issues. The theme for 2009 is preventative health and healthy behaviours men can adopt to improve their health and well-being. The sad reality is that every hour, five men die of a preventable illness. CDF appeared in a national television ad campaign which reminds men to see their GP once a year and to know their family history. He said Men's Health Week underscored the need for men to pay due regard to their health, both physical and mental. For more informa- tion, see www.menshealthweek.com.au Retention Benefit rules AIR FORCE members are reminded that if they are applying for the Military Super Benefit Scheme (MSBS) Retention Benefit (RB) it is critical they do so within the strict time-frame of 90 days. The MSBS RB remains a compo- nent of the MSBS available to members who joined the ADF before October 6, 2005. The purpose of the benefit is to provide a financial incentive to eligible members after 15 years of continu- ous effective service, to encourage them to continue to serve for a further five years. To be eligible for payment of the MSBS RB, a member must be medically fit to continue to serve the required undertaking for further service (UFFS) of five years. For more informa- tion, read the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual Volume 1, Chapter 3, Part 5, Division 1. AIR FORCE'S 88th birthday cel- ebrations at RAAF Base Glenbrook were given a touch more colour with the advent of the education officer (EDO) cummerbund, proudly display- ing the specialisation's new insignia. EDOs wore the cummerbund for the first time at the event, following their annual conference, which was also held at the base. Director Training GPCAPT Kathryn Dunn said SQNLDR Michael Dillon had designed both the insignia and cummerbund and distributed them at the conference. "The insignia and cummerbund represent a small but important way of promoting the cohesiveness and professional standing of the EDO in the eyes of both its members and the broader Air Force/ADF community," GPCAPT Dunn said. The design comprises a wedge- tailed eagle looking left atop two crossed Prometheus torches (a recog- nised symbol for an educational estab- lishment), surmounted by the Southern Cross and all on an emerald green background. GPCAPT Dunn said the insignia was loosely based on the RAF EDO badge of WWII which was worn by British and Australian EDOs on the collar of their Service and mess-dress uniforms, and also on epaulettes. SQNLDR Dillon said the idea for an insignia and cummerbund first came about in 1992 when he was based at RAAF Base East Sale. Easy to be green "We were surrounded by schools and categories all proudly sport- ing their colours and designs and the EDOs at East Sale thought that we should have our own cummerbund as well," he said. "The idea of an EDO cummerbund was rekindled about 12 months ago and it was now seen to be a good idea, encompassing much of the EDO's his- tory and heritage." BAND NEW: Education officers in sartorial splendour at the Air Force Week Cocktail Party, from left, WGCDRs Cameron Neill and Neville Gregory, GPCAPT Kathryn Dunn and SQNLDR Damien Boyd. Photo: ACW Katharine Pearson CLOSER LOOK: The insignia on the cummerbund.